Fansided

MLB Rumors: 1 player each NL Central team should trade at the deadline

By Zachary Rotman

May 9, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross (left) takes the ball from starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs manager David Ross (left) takes the ball from starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) during a pitching change in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Cubs
Sep 22, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) gives manager David Ross (3) the ball as he leaves the game against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. MLB Rumors Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Only being two weeks into the MLB season, we have an idea of teams that will be buying and selling at the trade deadline. Here’s who each NL Central team should try to trade in 2023. 

Even just two weeks into the regular season, we have an idea of teams that will be buying and selling. We know the St. Louis Cardinals, despite their rough start, will be a force in the NL Central. The Brewers should be competitive too thanks to their starting pitching.

The Cubs are the Wild Card of the division but have an outside chance at a real shot at a postseason berth. The Pirates and Reds, despite good starts, will likely look to continue to sell and rebuild.

Knowing the states of these teams makes it pretty easy to come up with players the clubs should be looking to move. Here’re players each NL Central team should look to trade.

MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs should trade Kyle Hendricks

Kyle Hendricks is the last man standing from the 2016 World Series team. It won’t be easy to move off of him, but it’s something the Cubs should’ve done by now and should really look to do by the deadline.

Hendricks is a winner. There’s no disputing that. He’s been a stalwart in the Cubs rotation for nine years now, and has an 87-61 record. He played a huge role in the 2016 World Series, and even started the clinching Game 7.

There are many reasons the Cubs should look to move Hendricks. First, he’s in decline. Hendricks had an ERA of 4.77 in 2021 and followed that up with a 4.80 ERA in just 16 starts last season.

Second, he’s in the final guaranteed year of his deal. Hendricks has a club option for next season worth $16 million, but the Cubs will in all likelihood decline it and let him walk this offseason. You might as well get something for him if that’s the case.

Third, there really isn’t anywhere for him. Right now Hendricks is on the Injured List, but the Cubs rotation is pretty stout without him. They have two solid veterans in Marcus Stroman and Jameson Taillon at the top, two promising young arms in Hayden Wesneski and Justin Steele in the middle, and a solid fifth starter in Drew Smyly in the back end. The Cubs even have depth with guys like Javier Assad, Adrian Sampson, and Caleb Killian sitting in AAA right now.

Lastly, other teams will want him. Hendricks is a veteran, and with as much postseason experience as he has, combined with the fact that he’s on an expiring contract — he’s valuable. The Cubs might not have a rotation spot for him, but there are teams out there trying to make the playoffs who do. It’s a no-brainer.

Home/Chicago Cubs